To gauge the full measure of silence and solitude, it is useful to know how uncommon these states of being really are—and how this scarcity affects us. Richard Mahler, in Stillness, Daily Gifts of Solitude

24kM5usings4/19/15 Evening in Rome with family. 4/18/15 I can't be old yet in Rome.4/17/15 No death penalty in Italy. I asked. 4/16/15 Fiesole always amazes me.4/15/15 And secret places. 4/13/15 I'm not always eating simply.4/12/15 Florence is a luxurious work of art. 4/9/15 I plan to do just that. 4/7/15 I'll be in this silence in three days.4/6/15 Silence as I get ready to go to Italy on Thursday. sf4/5/15 Believing the impossible brings peace. 4/4/15 Listening.4/3/15 Vulnerability.4/2/15 Honesty. 4/1/15 Learn what?3/31/15 Of self and others. 3/30/15 I always notice a good listener.3/29/15 My last picture of snow for this season. I promise. 3/28/15 Enough complaints about the weather. 3/27/15 I'm with Winston.3/26/15 Somehow honesty is involved. 3/25/15 To be healthy, don't focus on your health. 3/24/15 Often better for you.3/23/15 Wow. Listen to THAT.3/22/15 Said as we leave family.3/21/15 At the least, writing keeps my mind sharp. 3/20/15 Same with the weather.

1/8/15 Back to writing Very Grateful.1/7/15 We are who we are: enough.1/6/15 We have created a noisy world.1/5/15 So wise.1/4/15 So true, so true.1/3/15 I'm listening. 1/2/15 A silent day.1/1/15 Start 2015 with a deep breath.12/31/14 Birthday memories. 12/30/14 Our fire truck in the July 4th parade many years ago. 12/29/14 Worth a try.12/28/14 Very grateful that we are celebrating our 51st wedding anniversary. 12/26/14 Very grateful!12/25/14 Of course.12/24/14 Of course. 12/23/14 Love is the bottom line for all faith traditions.